What Jesus Did! 'Compassionate Teaching' — Mark 6:32-34

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

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So [Jesus and the apostles] left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
— Mark 6:32-34 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus was tired, and the people were spiritually lost and in danger - "sheep without a shepherd." So Jesus gave them what they needed most: "He began teaching them many things." From a Christian point of view, saying a "shepherd and teacher" is redundant. A shepherd teaches by guiding, leading, protecting, correcting, and caring. Let's call our modern Christian teachers to that high standard! They must do more and be more than a classroom lecturer. They must live the message they teach and love the people with whom they share it.

Today's Prayer

O dear Father, please give your people, your Church, more teachers who are genuine shepherds. So often, your people are like sheep without a shepherd. Please raise up more Christ-like shepherds among us! In Jesus' name, we fervently ask this. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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16 Related Resources by Heartlight

Mark 6:34
Devo: Today's Verse
"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."
Sheep need teaching and compassion!
Illustration of Mark 6:34
Inspirational illustration of Mark 6:34 -- 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Soc
The Burden & Blessing of Prayer
Article by Tom Norvell
A hard night leads to a great time of prayer. Tom Norvell talks about a sleepless night that leads to a great time of prayer and some key lessons about prayer.
Family Unique: Stops along the Way
Article by Rick Brown
Isn't it about time your family took a rest break? Rick Brown continues his family unique series and tries to help us understand that we have to stop and let our families rest sometimes along the way.
See All 16 Related Resources about Mark 6:32-34

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 6:32-34 NLT — So he began teaching them many things.

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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